Mental Health

Unraveling the Complex Causes of Depression

The causes of depression can be multi dimensional, multi experiential, uh depression can be long term as well as it can be um situational or environmentally provoked. So it we would first need to determine what types of depression are you experiencing and what have you recently been exposed to? That would give you the symptomology of depression because if it's situational, um it could be from an unexpected um outcome, unexpected disappointment. Um More thoughts around how you experience and connect with your anxiety, um anxiety being the worry, the overthinking, the over processing the not feeling satisfied and how it's impacting your daily interaction. So the causes of of depression depend on environmental, emotional, physical um appetite, sleep deprivation. What are your current experiences that have triggered you that over the past 3 to 6 months has impacted your functionality in life. Um and relationships, productivity, career and everything and how it is that you exist to give you the qualifier of depression. The thing is is that we should not get stuck on a diagnosis or destination of depression. But we should understand that if we are have been identified as a depressed individual that gives us the road map to identify how we can get back out of it and into life in a more productive manner. And now knowing what challenges that we need to address more specifically.

The causes of depression can vary greatly and depend on environmental, emotional, physical, and other factors. In order to determine the cause of depression, it is important to consider what has been experienced in the recent months that may have triggered the depression. Once the cause is identified, a roadmap can be created to help the individual get out of the depression.

The causes of depression can be complex and varied, encompassing different dimensions and experiences. Depression can manifest as a long-term condition or be triggered by specific situations or environmental factors. To understand the causes of depression, it is important to identify the type of depression being experienced and recent exposures or experiences. Situational depression, for example, may result from unexpected outcomes or disappointments. Additionally, examining how anxiety is experienced and connected to depression is relevant, as anxiety often involves worry, overthinking, and dissatisfaction that impact daily interactions. The causes of depression can stem from various factors such as environmental influences, emotional challenges, physical health issues, appetite changes, and sleep deprivation. It is crucial to consider one's recent experiences over the past few months that may have affected functionality in life, including relationships, productivity, and career. These factors contribute to understanding the presence of depression. However, it is important not to solely focus on a diagnosis or label of depression but rather use it as a roadmap to identify specific challenges that need to be addressed in order to regain a productive and fulfilling life.

What should I do when I have fear of the future, when I lose hope that I will reach my goals?

Finding clarity and alignment in goals to conquer fear of the future

Um what should I do if I have fear of the future when I lose hope that I will reach my goals. So you have to actually ask yourself are the goals that you have set realistic and in alignment with what you really want. Because when you have goals that are not necessarily in alignment with what you want, it's easy to lose focus and lose interest and working towards something that really doesn't um align with you. So it might be that either your goal is not clear enough um for you to know and see the, the baby steps that's moving forward. But then, and I don't mean to say baby, but like elementary one inch at a time where you're making progress, but the fear of the future is, do you clearly have a direction or are you allowing the idea or the feeling of anxiety or are you second guessing? Like what is a good decision um for you that is causing you to doubt that you have that you're on the right path. So it's rooted in the idea of you being concerned of the outcome and the experience. And are you pleasing those around you or are you in alignment with the task that you would like to get done that's going to serve you. So when you have made the best goals for yourself, you don't need to explain it or over explain it. You're not bothered when, um, someone doesn't like it and you're convinced and understanding the peace of being, trusting your goal.

If you have fear of the future when you lose hope that you will reach your goals, make sure your goals are realistic and in alignment with what you really want. Ask yourself if you are making progress, if you are in alignment with the task, and if you are trusting your goal.

When you find yourself fearful of the future and losing hope in reaching your goals, it's important to assess whether your goals are realistic and aligned with your true desires. If your goals aren't aligned, it becomes easy to lose focus and interest in pursuing them. It's crucial to clarify your goals and break them down into manageable steps, allowing you to track your progress. The fear of the future may stem from uncertainty or doubts about the right path to take. Instead of worrying about pleasing others or being concerned about the outcome, focus on aligning with tasks that serve you and bring you fulfillment. When you have set meaningful goals for yourself, there is no need to overexplain or seek validation from others. Trust in your goals and embrace the peace that comes with trusting yourself.

Can you elaborate on how building small successes can eventually lead to major successes in overcoming depression?

Unlocking the Power of Small Wins in Overcoming Depression

Your will and intention that you can and will overcome your depression is really the game changer to determine how is your depression the boss of you? How is it overcompensating, overthinking, and kind of living in your every thought that you're doing? Is it in the food that you're eating? Is it the exercise or lack thereof? Is it the contact with others that are around you? Is it the productivity that you have in your day-to-day work as a leader in the footprint of how it is that you touch and influence those around you? So being able to kind of build small successes would be what are your goals and intentions? And how do you identify the barriers that tend to block you? Do the barriers have the same theme, the same interest met into how they get into your day and cause you to think differently, live differently, kind of interrogate your success from a different perspective? But then also, are you comparing your growth, your success, your ability to meet certain goals? Are you comparing that to someone else? And that's where you may be coming wrong and where you may be creating self-defeating opportunities that are making you feel more overwhelmed with the thought of depression because from a comparison analysis, you are paralyzing yourself with the thought that what your scope of work is going to look like someone else's. You have a unique footprint. So your small wins and your small successes are all wins. They're not small. They're all wins because they're one step closer to that larger outcome that you're looking for. And once you begin to accept and embrace that everything, every moment you do is going to bring you closer, you win.

To overcome depression, it is important to set intentions and goals, identify the barriers that block you, and recognize that every small win is a step closer to your larger outcome. Additionally, it is important to remember that you have a unique footprint and not compare yourself to others to avoid self-defeating thoughts.

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The key to overcoming depression is having the will and intention to do so. It's important to recognize how depression may have control over your thoughts, actions, and daily life. Consider factors such as your diet, exercise routine, social interactions, and productivity. Building small successes involves setting goals and identifying the barriers that hinder your progress. These barriers may have common themes or patterns that disrupt your mindset and perception of success. Additionally, it's crucial not to compare your growth and achievements with others. Making such comparisons can lead to self-defeating thoughts and feeling overwhelmed by the idea that your journey should mirror someone else's. Remember that you have a unique path, and every small win is significant. They all contribute to the larger outcome you desire. Embrace the understanding that each moment brings you closer to achieving your goals, celebrating every step along the way.

Transforming Your Mindset: The Power of Positive Thinking

How can you become more positive? Um Becoming more positive is really, really a perspective taking on you recognizing when the negative is being invited in. So for example, when you, when you wake up in the morning, do you say I'm gonna have a great day or do you wake up and say, oh my God, it's Tuesday your perspective, you shift the endorphins and everything in your mind by not being in the energetic of wanting and expecting everything positive. Now everything positive is not a reality. However we speak the truth to our life. And if we speak the truth to our life, then we have to realize that we may be saying negative things, negative thoughts, always the outcome that we are not going to be the winners on the other side that make it such that we're not positive. So the simple change game changer in that is a two millimeter shift is when you begin to say something negative, stop yourself and say it in the positive and in the affirmative, it takes work. But when you consistently do it over and over again, it becomes natural practice and the energy around you will grow.

To become more positive, start by recognizing when negative thoughts are entering your mind and work to replace them with positive thoughts and affirmations. Over time, this practice will become second nature and your energy will shift to a more positive outlook.

To become more positive, it's all about shifting your perspective and recognizing when negativity is creeping in. For example, when you wake up in the morning, do you focus on having a great day or immediately think negatively about it being Tuesday? Shifting your mindset and not constantly seeking only positive outcomes can impact your mood and endorphins. It's important to speak truthfully about your life, including acknowledging negative thoughts and potential challenges. The game-changing shift is to catch yourself when you start to say something negative and instead reframe it into a positive and affirming statement. This takes practice but becomes more natural with consistency. As you make this shift, the energy around you will grow more positive.

What steps should someone take if they're looking to become a better person?

Unlock Your Potential: Steps to Becoming a Better Person

Interesting um thought in question, you know, in regards to becoming a better person, um first takes um inventory, personal honest inventory on where do you find the flaws and or the challenges and how you exist um in life today. So once you have a clear understanding of where it is that you feel the flaws exist or the things that you would desire to be different, to become more effective to, to become more responsive, maybe time um management and, or productivity, how it is that you relate to others and develop formal friendships or professional um or even casual um colla collaboratives with individuals. We have to identify where it is that you currently see yourself in those spaces as well as what is the desired outcome. And then once you can figure out the between the two and doing that personal, honest reflection and inventory, possibly there are some themes and some things that overlap each other um begin to prioritize or group them accordingly. And then to see which is the biggest bang for your buck and your change agency. And to identify what support it is that you need and working through whatever it is that you need to work through, that's going to get you to cause that shift, that two millimeter shift that's gonna make you this identified um preferred better person that you have in your ideal mind. And with that, you will begin to have a strategy in, in place that will get you to this ideal person. And stage one step at a time by how you prioritize the themes and the interactions in the positive view of self.

Taking personal inventory and reflecting on where you can improve, prioritizing what needs to be worked on first, and identifying the support you need to make those changes is a good way to become a better person.

To become a better person, start by honestly assessing yourself and identifying areas where you feel there are flaws or challenges in your life. Understand how you currently exist and where you desire to make improvements, such as in time management, productivity, relationships, or collaborations. Prioritize these areas and determine the desired outcome. Look for common themes and overlaps among them. Identify which areas will have the most significant impact when addressed. Seek the support needed to work through these challenges and facilitate the desired changes. Develop a strategy that will help you achieve your ideal self, taking it one step at a time based on the prioritized themes and interactions. By focusing on positive self-improvement, you can progress towards becoming the better person you envision.

Why might someone not feel enjoyment in anything and struggle to concentrate?

Unlocking Enjoyment and Concentration: Overcoming Perfection Paralysis

What might someone not feel enjoyment in anything and struggle? Why struggle to concentrate? Well, a concentration comes from the distractions of life and your ability to think that you are going to do whatever the activity is. Well, correct or even perfect and perfect is a word that wish that it did not exist in the um in the dictionary because it is not a reality to the perspective and experiences of life. The reason that you may not um find the enjoyment in things and you feel like you're not concentrating is possibly very strongly connected to what some people call perfection paralysis. Um Perfection paralysis is your need or idea that it has to be perfect or that it has to be right. If it's not right, then you're struggling to organize it and control it so much so that it makes you incapacitate it to one, enjoy it, but then also to complete it. So that perfection paralysis is when you simply just can't start a project because you are so concerned that you won't get it. Exactly right. And there seems to be like only two options like really in your mind, either you can start the um the activity and you, and you can prove that you're not perfect or you can just simply get the job done and do it to your best of your ability and enjoy that outside project. Looking at the outcome only and not ex experiencing the joy that the experience, the journey and all of the steps and pieces that get you to that point is why the enjoyment misses and why concentration is distracted. Only you can determine what is the correct way that you enjoy, the correct way that you complete something and the correct way that you concentrate with fluid focus.

A person might struggle to enjoy and concentrate due to perfection paralysis, which is an overwhelming need to make something perfect. This can lead to a lack of enjoyment and difficulty concentrating on the task at hand. The best way to overcome this is to focus on the journey and not just the end result, and to do your best with what you have.

The reason someone may not feel enjoyment in anything and struggle to concentrate could be strongly connected to what is known as perfection paralysis. Perfection paralysis is the need for things to be perfect or right, which can hinder one's ability to start or complete a project. The fear of not achieving perfection can lead to difficulty in organizing and controlling tasks, resulting in a lack of enjoyment and concentration. This mindset often limits options to either proving imperfection or completing a task without fully experiencing the joy of the process and journey. Focusing solely on the outcome instead of embracing the steps and pieces that lead to it can cause a loss of enjoyment and distractions from concentration. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to determine their own definition of enjoying, completing, and concentrating with a fluid focus.

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Mary May, MFT is a clinician dedicated to helping her clients identify, confront & resolve interpersonal conflict & barriers to success. She believes in empowering individuals to nurture & build sustaining relationships for inner & outer happiness. Mary utilizes evidence-based practices & has been effective with children, adolescents, young adults, individuals & couples.

Mary is an innovative speaker and trainer, educator, and presenter. Key elements of concentration include the development of prevention and sustainable interactions with innovative strategies that promote personal growth in language and productivity.  She is a sought-after facilitator guiding the development of cohesive teams, leadership, elevated implementation, and change agency. Mary is a staunch advocate for preventative care and bridging the gap of wellness by integrating diverse and equitable solutions. Butterfly Love Academy offers consulting, coaching, prevention, and team building narratives that sustain.

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Mary E. May, MFT